PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe County (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Selassie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe County has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

County
vs
Selassie

200 cm
19
280 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

186 cm
27
225 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe County!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Victor Selassie!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
County is looking to clinch but Selassie is avoiding it.
Selassie feints the counter takedown.
County slips under a jab.
County with a hook.

County forces Selassie back against the cage and clinches.
Selassie wants a takedown.
County taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A short right from County.
Selassie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. County smiles and moves away.
Selassie misses with a straight left.
Selassie fails to land the takedown.
Joe County has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Selassie.
County tries to work over Selassie's front leg with a kick but Selassie checks it.
County throws a low kick but Selassie moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Selassie on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Good standup being displayed there by County as he connects with a hook.
Nice shot lands for County.

It looks like Victor Selassie has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
County is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Selassie tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
County takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
County throws a hook to the side of Selassie's head but Selassie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
County cracks a nice hook into Selassie's ribs.

County darts in and clinches Selassie up against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from County.
County keeps control of Selassie as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A short right hand to the side of the head by County.
County scores with a shoulder strike.
County misses with an elbow over the top.
County stalls.
County avoiding damage.
Selassie looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
County lands a body shot.
Selassie has County pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. County manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
County pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Selassie has had enough of the clinch but County keeps him there for the moment.
County stalling in the clinch.
Selassie is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A bit of stalling here from County.
Selassie is trying to force a seperation but County has the dominant position.
Selassie wants to break free but County has control.
County is pushing Selassie up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
County's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Joe County.
County takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
County staying out of range there.
County connects with the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

County clinches up with Selassie and pushes him back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from County.
County prevents Selassie from breaking the clinch.
County is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Selassie is looking to break free of the clinch but County has double underhooks.
Selassie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but County gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Selassie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Selassie is looking for a takedown.
County taking a breather.
County is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
County lands a left hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by County.

Selassie has hold of one of County's legs. County is fighting the takedown attempt but Selassie gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Selassie throws a big elbow that misses.
County on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if County tries to get out of the position.
County working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Selassie.
Selassie with a nice head shot there.
Selassie trying to control the position from guard on top but County is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
County keeping full guard, as Selassie tries to pass.
Selassie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Selassie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
County avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
County tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Selassie looking to sit in guard and control but County gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe County dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Victor Selassie's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

County rushes Selassie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Selassie tries for a takedown but County manages to get underhooks.
Selassie wants to get back to striking at distance but County won't allow it.
Selassie is trying to force a seperation but County has the dominant position.
Selassie can't break the clinch.

Selassie manages to break the clinch.
County scores with a nice right hand.
County lands with an uppercut that bounces Selassie off the cage and back into range.
Selassie throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
County fails with an attempt to clinch.
County moves forwards but Selassie connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
County throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Selassie uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
County thuds his right hand into Selassie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That has opened up Victor Selassie's cut even more.
County connects with a right hand. Selassie shakes it off.

County clinches up with Selassie and pushes him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
County prevents Selassie from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
County lands a right hand that snaps the head of Selassie backwards.
Selassie goes for a takedown in the clinch but County prevents it.

Selassie turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Selassie manages to end up in side control.
County is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Selassie's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
County controlling the position well.
Selassie is just content to waste time from the top position. County takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
County seems keen to control Selassie's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Selassie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Selassie trying to control but County is working from the bottom.
County pulls Selassie in close to prevent any damage.
Selassie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
County preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Selassie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
County has his hands on Selassie's head, controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
County defending well as Selassie loads up on a big left hand.
Selassie scores with a hook.
County moves out of range of the strikes.
County throws out a loose jab but Selassie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Selassie swats away the attempt to clinch by County.
A little jabbing left from Selassie on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
County moves into range and connects with a jab.
County moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

The cut above Victor Selassie's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Selassie has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from County finds it's way round the side to connect with Selassie's head.
County scores with a sloppy right hand. Selassie should have avoided that one.

Victor Selassie's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
It looks like County has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.

County moves into the clinch.
Selassie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Selassie is trying to push County away but County has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Selassie breaks the clinch.
Selassie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. County sees it coming and avoids it easily.
County is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Selassie can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Selassie looks to land a right hand but County moved out of range.
Selassie throws a hook but County blocks it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Selassie lands with a nice body punch.

County moves into the clinch.
Selassie working hard to break the clinch.
Selassie tries to score a body lock takedown but County shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Joe County has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Selassie.
A bit of stalling here from County.
Selassie tries for a takedown. No joy.
A bit of stalling here from County.
County manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A frustrated look appears on Selassie's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Selassie is trying to drag County to the mat but County just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
County effectively controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe County dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Victor Selassie's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

County throws a hook to the side of Selassie's head but Selassie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Selassie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Selassie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
County takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Selassie throws a body shot but no joy.
Joe County is winning the standup battle so far.
Selassie throws a hook but County avoids it easily.
County misses with a lunging right hand

and Selassie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
County makes his way to full guard. A much better position for County.
Selassie is fighting to break County's control of his arms but County is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Selassie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
County tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Selassie trying to control the position from guard on top but County is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
County is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A jab from County misses.
Selassie avoids a kick to the body.
Joe County is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
County uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Selassie.
Selassie tests County's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Selassie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

County closes the distance and pushes Selassie back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Selassie looking for a takedown.
County is pressed up against the cage. Selassie has hold of a leg and is looking to drag County down to the mat. County avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Joe County has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Selassie.
County lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Selassie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
County misses with a leg kick.
County throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
County connects with a jab.
Selassie cracks County with a right hand to the side of the head.
Selassie fails with a takedown attempt.
County throws a head kick but Selassie moves out of range.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Selassie on the wrong end of a nice jab.

County rushes Selassie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
County misses with a shot to the kidneys.
County manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Selassie wants to get back to striking at distance but County won't allow it.
Selassie tries for a takedown but County manages to get underhooks.
County keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Selassie's efforts to push away.
A bit of stalling here from County.
County is struggling to control the position.
County seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Selassie is trying to force a seperation but County has the dominant position.
A short uppercut from County.
Selassie jumps guard but County turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Selassie has had enough of the clinch but County keeps him there for the moment.
County will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Selassie up against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on County - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
County gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
County holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Selassie has County pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. County manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
County just leaning against Selassie, taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Joe County.
County takes one to the side of the head.
County looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Selassie fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt County.
County tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Selassie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
County lands with a nice body punch.
Selassie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

County closes the distance and pushes Selassie back into the cage.
Selassie is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
County lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Selassie or not.
The referee is keeping an eye on County - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe County clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Victor Selassie's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Selassie is trying to push County away but County has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Selassie is looking to break free of the clinch but County has double underhooks.
County stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Selassie wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but County has him pressed against the cage.

Selassie gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Selassie trying to control but County is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Selassie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Selassie looking to sit in guard and control but County gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Selassie wants to sweep here but County controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
County is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
County stops Selassie from standing up.
County is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Selassie is looking for a triangle but County pushes his legs off easily.
County controls from within his opponent's guard.
County trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
County feints a jab promting Selassie to slip. County then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Selassie slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
County scores with a decent looking hook.
County thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

County clinches.
County gets underhooks to prevent Selassie's takedown attempt.
County is stalling here.
County stalling the fight.
County throws an elbow but it misses.
A frustrated look appears on Selassie's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, County scores with a nice short uppercut.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Victor Selassie's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Joe County!
Joe County retains his heavyweight title!